Looking Unto the Cross..... A devotional for day 6 of LENT Tuesday, March 14

Sometimes I Feel Like the Blind Leading the Blind In Matthew 15:14b Jesus said, "If a blind man leads a blind man, both will fall into a pit." This world is full of blind people. The truth can be staring us in the face and we can miss it so easily. The following portraits of Christ, of salvation, of God's working among men, are so easy not to see. In Psalm 45 the Psalmist exuberantly recites his poetry for the king,.using articulate speech, going to the extreme of calling him God. He speaks of sights, power, even the smell of the king. Who, at that time, would know that God is using the writer to describe someone other than king David? In retrospect and in light of Hebrews 1:8,9, we recognize that Jesus is the object of the Psalmist. Why didn't the people of that day see it? They were so blind. In Genesis 37:12-24 the story of Joseph is filled with hidden portraits of Christ. Many of the things that happened to Joseph, who would be revealed as their earthly savior, were going to happen to the Savior of the world, including the murder plot, being sold, the temptation without sin, the imprisonment (the tomb), being exalted, the final rule, the bowing down, and the forgiveness. How could the people of that time possibly see? They were so blind. I Corinthians 1:20-31 speaks of the wisdom of this world being made foolish by God. Can a blind person tell what color something is by feeling it? Can they tell how a city is laid out by being in a sky scraper? How foolish to think they could. People use their own skills to try to discover truth. Until someone who is honest and knows the truth tells us, we won't know the truth. If we decide not to believe them, because it goes against our own understanding and discovery, all of our learning becomes mere foolishness. Why can't the wise people of this world see Christ? They were so blind. In Mark 1:14-28 Jesus says, "The time has come. The kingdom of God is near. Repent and believe the good news!" Some believed and the world called them foolish. They changed their daily routine to fully obey Jesus. They were still blind, but they found Who was the source of truth. This truth can only be spiritually seen. The evil spirit who possessed the man in the synagogue could see spiritual things. He knew who Jesus was. "...the Holy One of God!" (v. 24) The people couldn't see. They could tell he had cast out the evil spirit, but they called it a "new teaching" (v.27). Why couldn't they see who He was? They were so blind. II Kings 6:17 says, "And Elisha prayed, 'O Lord, open his eyes so he may see.' Then the Lord opened the servant's eyes, and he looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha." Since our eyes are not opened to see the spiritual in that way "we live by faith not by sight" (II Corinthians 5:7) If we are not careful we could all be blind guides of the blind. Only through a personal acquaintance with the God of the scriptures can our understanding be opened up to the spiritual truths of God's word. Jesus was speaking of the Pharisees who studied God's word when he called them "blind guides of the blind." If you don't know the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, you may be in the presence of a psalmist who is speaking of Christ and not know it. You may be in the presence of a Joseph who is revealing Christ and not know it. You may be absolutely foolish in your understanding and not know it. You may be in the very presence of the creator and miracle-working God and not know it. Romans 1:20 says, "For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities--his eternal power and divine nature--have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse." On our Lenten journey , let's look for God in what we can see. Listen to "the voice behind you, saying, 'This is the way; walk in it.'" (Isaiah 30:21)? Are you too proud to admit you are blind? Do you think you can find your own way through this life? There is a form of sight that the Lord wants to give you. This life is not to be walked completely in the dark. It is to walk in the light of Jesus. (John 1:1-14) It is not to see completely, but to "see but a poor reflection as in a mirror" (I Corinthians 13:12) or "through a glass, darkly" (KJV). Our hope and faith can be firmly in him to someday see him "face to face." Ron Pruitt Sarasota, FL USA Prayer: Father, open the eyes of many who have not recognized You. May the eyes of the soul be opened to see You as You are revealed in Your Holy Word. Amen Suggested Daily Scripture Reading [Psalm 45] [Gen. 37:12-24] [ I Cor. 1:20-31] [Mark 1:14-28] Visit: 1999 Advent/Christmas Series Epiphany Series You may send e-mail comments or suggestions toYvonne Edwards. Edited: Mar. 9, 5:00 p.m. Page designed by: Cecil Wallace Prayer by: Ron Pruitt The background set is provided by In His Image Cross button courtesy of The Christian Graphics Gallery Copyright © 2000 NazNet All rights reserved. International copyright secured.